Mechanism for actuating the heedle frames in looms



Aug. 24, 1954 E. PFARRWALLER 8 MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed New 20. 1952 INVENTOR. ERl/V/N PFARR'WALLER. BY

ATTORNEY.

E. PFARRWALLER Aug. 24, 1954 2,687,148

' MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1952 Aug. 24, 1954 E. PFARRWALLER 2,687,148

MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS Filed May 20, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ATTORA/EK Aug. 24, 1954 E. PFARRWALLER MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 20, 1952 INVENTOR. ERw/N PFARRWALLER.

ATTOR EK Aug. 24, 1954 E. PFARRWALLER MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 20, 1952 gays.

fI/IIIII/II/III/IIIIII/I f 2 32 2 3232 3 "MM w m K m mw% N m 4 mm m Aug. 24, 1954 E. PFARRWALLER MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS Filed May 20, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Wmm INVENTOR PFAERW/ILLE f ./%%z

ATTOR EY.

ERW/N BY Aug. 24, 1954 E. PFARRWALLER MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS.

7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 20, 1952 m w m m Ema/ N [7m RRWALLEAZ Afro/W5 Patented Aug, 24, 1954 r MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE HEDDLE FRAMES IN LOOMS Erwin Pfarrwaller, Winterthur, Switzerland, assignor to Sulzer Freres, Societe Anonyme, Winterthur, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Application May 20, 1952, Serial No. 288,919

16 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in a loom for weaving, more particularly to a mechanism which affords selective actuation of each heddle frame in different time relation to the weft thread insertions or picks and, if desired, to the action of the other heddle frames to produce different weave patterns. The mechanism according to the invention comprises cam elements and cam follower means positively actuating the heddle frames for changing the shed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in a loom, which mechanism enables operation of the heddle frames according to a plurality of different weaving schedules and which comprises simple means for switching the operation from one schedule to another.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in a loom according to a plurality of different operating schedules and comprising means for automatically switching operation of the heddle frames from one schedule to another.

An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in a loom for weaving according to a variety of oper ating schedules, said mechanism comprising means for switching the mechanism from performing one schedule to performing a different schedule and means responsive to a predetermined number of performed picks and automatically actuating the switching means to change the weave pattern after a predetermined number of weft thread insertions.

The device according to the invention con prises two or more parallel shafts, each shaft carrying at least one set of cams, each set affording production of a binding of a binding schedule and comprising a cam element for each heddle frame needed for producing the desired weaving pattern which cam element positively actuates its heddle frame and is so curved as to move the heddle frame as required for the weav-- ing pattern. The device also comprises means for selectively connecting the cam sets with cam followers, the latter forming part of a mechanism connected with and individually actuating a heddle frame.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are a plurality of cam sets of different shape and/or speed provided for each heddle frame, and a cam follower means adapted to be selectively engaged by one of said cam sets.

The.

individual cam sets are arranged on different shafts and either the shafts or the cam follower means may be adapted to be moved so that the follower means are actuated either by a cam set on one shaft or by a cam set on another shaft.

In another embodiment of the invention, two shafts are provided, each carrying a plurality of axially displaceable cams which can be selectively brought to engage a cam follower means which is arranged between the two shafts and is movable towards one or the other shaft for selectively engaging the cams on one or the other shaft. This combination affords production of an increased number of weaving patterns.

There is, of course, one cam follower means for each heddle frame and a linkage between each follower means and frame to actuate the latter in accordance with the movements of the former which are caused by the cam by which it is engaged.

In a further embodiment, the cams are mounted on a rotatable frame in a circle coaxial with the frame, whereby, by rotation of the frame, one cam can be selected to engage a cam follower.

In all modifications the cams are rotated by the loom, and the part which is moved to efiect engagement of a selected cam with the cam follower is temporarily connected with the loom drive to effect switching from one operating pattern to another.

The mechanism according to the invention is less complicated than conventional mechanisms employing perforated cards and the like. It has simple parts which are in positive engagement for actuating the harnesses. A loom equipped according to the invention can therefore be operated at higher speed than one which is controlled by jacquard and similar apparatuses. The mechanism according to the invention requires much less space than conventional harness controls. Cards of jacquard devices are very long for weaving patterns in which a binding is repeated often, whereas the cam sets forming part of the new mechanism take the same space, no matter whether they make one revolution or a great number of revolutions between changes of the binding.

With the new mechanism, the cam sets for effecting consecutive bindings which are used only once or a few times between changes can be prepared on a separate shaft without loss of time. Bindings which are consecutively used a great number of times can be effected by cam sets which are on the same shaft as the sets for effecting the previous series of bindings because the time loss involved in that caseby a single change is unimportant.

Further and other objects of the present invention will be hereinafter set forth in the accompanying specification and claims, and shown in the drawings which, by way of illustration, show what I now consider to be preferred embodiments of my invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a shedding mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic, part sectional, large scale view of a cam-controlled actuating device forming part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken along line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic top view of a fabric showing a pattern produced by two harness for the automatic operation of the device shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a large-scale view of a detail of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of a cam-controlled device for effecting shedding and producing more than two different bindings;

Fig. 9 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is-a diagrammatic top view of a fabric showing a pattern produced by four harness frames;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional View of the fabric shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a further modification of a device for effecting shedding;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic plan view of a device of the type shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modification of the device shown in Figs. 12 and 13; Fig. 15 illustrates a detail of the device shown in Fig. 13.

Like parts are designated by like numerals in the different figures of the drawings.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, numeral 28 designates a motor driving the main shaft 23 of a loom by means of a transmission 2| and a main clutch 22. Shaft 23 drives shaft 25 of a picking mechanism 2%: bymeans of gears 24. The picking mechanism for the shuttles which also includes means for connecting weft threads to the shuttles and other means for handling the weft threads if the shuttles are of the gripper type, is not illustrated because this does not form part of the present invention. Shaft 23 also operates a shuttle-receiving mechanism 2? by means of gears 28 and a shaft 29. Cams 30 are provided on shaft 23 for actuating a lay, not shown.

Clutch 22 can be disengaged by means of a lever 3i and a brake 33 is applied by lowering a lever 32 if the loom must be stopped.

Shaft 25 carries a chain wheel over which a chain 35 is laid which extends into a housing 3 Chain 35 drives a set of spur gear wheels 38, 3?, 33 located in the housing 3 t. Wheel 38 is fast on a shaft 38 and wheel 36 on a shaft 49. Each of these shafts carries a plurality of cams. Motor 20 drives a shaft 42 through a speed-reducing transmission 20, shaft 522 driving a chain 43 through a claw clutch M and bevel gears A3. Chain 43 rotates a shaft 45 in housing 34. Shaft 45 actuates a mechanism, to be described later, for selectively operating the shedding mechanism either by means of the cams on shaft 39 or on shaft 40. Numeral 5| designates a harness frame supported by vertically guided rods 59. The latter are linked individually to one arm of angular levers 49 by connecting links 50'. The other arm of levers 49 is pivoted to a horizontal rod d8 which is pivoted to one arm of a lever 47. The other arm of the latter is pivoted to an actuating rod 16.

For setting up a loom to produce a desired weaving pattern, a diagram of the required bindings is drawn showing the needed harness motions and threading of the heddles. In fabrics whose diagram shows only one type of binding this binding is repeated after inserting the number of weft threads which is also defined in the diagram. In a fabric whose diagram shows dif ferent bindings, the bindings follow according to a pattern defined in the diagram; individual bindings may be repeated as many times as prescribed by the diagram before a different binding is used. Different bindings are needed, for example, for producing borders or for repeatedly weaving individual cloth patterns in a continuous length of material which is afterwards out to separate the individual pieces of cloth, for example, handkerchiefs, towels, and the like. A diagram for this purpose shows several different warp thread bindings, also the rapport, i. e. the number of weft insertions for each binding, and frequently a pattern for threading the heddles with warp threads. The diagram indicates the pick at which the warp threads determined by the warp rapport are in the upper or lower shed position. The harnesses mustbe controlled accordingly.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the mechanism for operating rod 26, which actuates a harness. Each of the parallel shafts 39 and 40 carries a set of cams. Each set produces a binding prescribed by the binding schedule of the desired weaving pattern and each set comprises a cam element for each individual harness needed for producing the desired weaving pattern. Each cam element consists of two cams and a cam follower is provided for each cam element which positively actuates a harness. The cams are so shaped as to produce the harness movement prescribed by the weaving pattern whenever the aforedescribed diagram requires a change of the shed formed by the warp threads controlled by th particular harness before the next weft thread is inserted.

The cam sets and means following the cams thereof are selectively engaged by means of a special regulating device. Cam sets which produce different bindings which follow each other according to the weaving schedule are preferably arranged on different shafts in case several cam sets are carried by one shaft. This permits axial displacement of the cam set which is next to be used into a position opposite to the cam follower means before the binding is changed. In this case, the cam follower means can be made to engage the desired cam set without loss of time for producing the new binding.

The mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is built for actuating two harness frames and each shaft 39 and 49 carries a set of two cam elements, 1. e. four cam discs 52 to 55 and 56 and 59, respectively, cams 5G and 55 not being visible in the drawing. Two two-arm levers swingable on shaft 10 are formed individually of two parallel plates 68, 68 and E9, 89' which are connested :"oy pins. Lever 68-, 68 carries four cam follower rollers 60 to on, and lever L69, 69 'four cam foi -lower rollers 68 to b l Each lever plate has an upper extension, a pin H connecting the extensions of plates 68, 68" and pinH' connecting the extensions of plate 69, 692 ends of rods W6 and 4B" are swing'alble on pins it and T l", respectively. Shaft ill supponting levers 68, 68"" and 5%, 59" extends between the .pron'gs of a 'fork member 12 which swings about *a shaft 18 which is made last in housing :3 Two connecting rods '15 and 15" are swing-ably connected at one end with the fork member 12, projections It and 16" being "provided "for this purpose, and at their other "ends with eccentrics 1'4 and W on shaf td5. In Fig. 2 only the mechanism for controlling rod is visible.

Eccentric 74 is in its extreme left or in its extreme right position when the cam follower mean-s *GO to 69 are in engagement either with a left or a right cam element. This blocks the device in engaged position against forces acting thereon from the harness actuating part of the mechanism.

'Fig. 2shows the levers 68 and 69 for the cam follower rollers 'in a position in which "rollers 160 and -6l engage earn discs -52 and W3, respectively, and rollers '64 and '65 engage eam discs 5! -a=nd"'5 5, thelat-ter two not *beingvisilole. 'Fork member 12 is "swung to its extreme left posi tion. .In this position, *frames 51 and 51 actuated by rods W6, 46, respectively, are so operated as to produce the left portion of the pattern "shown in "Fig. '4. The binding-in of "the weft threads follows the rule 1:1 up "to weft thread "a. speed reduction between the main shaft 2'3 and shafts 3B and MI is'so ch'osen in combination with the configuration of the cams on discs 52 to 55 that desire-d bindin pattern is produced. The speeds of shafts 39' and M1 may be made differentby replacing wheel Why a pair of spur gear wheels. If the mechanism .is constructed as illustrated, the "shed formed by "the warp threads b .and c is changed after each weft thread insertion .After insertionof weft thread 52, thehinding rule is changed to 2:2, whereby two consecutively inserted weft threads are bound by the warp threads. Binding 1:1 is restored at weft thread a, and, after insertion "of weft thread 1, the binding may again be changed to 2'12.

Since each cam disc '52 to 55 has two cams and each disc '58 to '5'9 has only one cam, shafts 39 and '40 can rotate at the same speed and yet produce two different bindings.

For producing pattern 2:2,, after weft thread d is inserted, the cam elements '56 to "519 .must be engagedand cam elements 52 to '55 disengaged. This is effected by depressing ,pedal TB and pulling pawl 7'! down (Fig. 1), so that spring "('9 can push clutch part 44 to the right to engage part 41. Shaft 42 .can new drive chain 43 which rotates shaft :45 and eccentric .14, causing rod '15 to pull fork lever 12 .to the right. Gears 43 and the sprocket wheels forchain 43 areso constructed that shaft 45 is turned through 18G upon one revolution of shaft 4'2. Clutch I, M is automatically disengaged after .making a full turn, so ithatfork lever l2 staysinits irightvend position .in which rollers .62., 63 and EB, (61 engage the cam discs .56 .to 59.

If for]; 32 and therefore the fulcrum m is in the extreme left position which issihown in Fig. 2, pin 11 moves along are K1 and rollers til-and 6| abut against earns 52 and '53 in points -:83 and 84, respectively, if the "pin is in'rthe .imtddle abetween its extreme "positions hi. and @131. If "pin 'l l lisin position hi, the harness frame connected therewith is in its top position, and, pin 1 1 is imposition t1, the h-arnessframe is ini'its 1.1301;- tom position. The shed is .cclosed when spin is in position a, i. e. in the middle between positions hr and iii.

:If fork 12 and therefore fulcrum 1101 is .sin its extreme right :position, pin flil moves on :are K2 between positions he and t2. -Rol'lers .62, 56 3 engage the cam discs &6, 5'! at points J85, 8 6 when the .pin l i is in the middle, to, between positions hz and t2.

:Line to connecting -fulcrum 11 0 and the eenter of pin "H is in vtlhe middle between points 133, 985 and .88, 8'6. -Arcs K1 and -intersect in point 9 and are symmetric with :respect thereto. Therefore the heddle dreams 5 and 5 1 actuated by rods 46 and 16" go through l-ikemotions when thelever is in its left, as 'well aswhen it is in its right, position.

The geometry the device may also beexplained as follows: The axis g of the pivotal connection between leverliB and rod 46 coincides with the line of intersection of two imaginary planes extending through the axis of the pivot It of lever 68 and through the =niiddle between points 83 and and M and 83 at which the cam follower rollers $9 to 53 engage different cam elements 52, 5'3 or $6, 5H, one of said "two planes cor-responding to one extreme position of pivot T0 and the other plane corresponding to the other extreme position of pivot T0 when the cam elements '52, ar-rd 56, E! are in positions corresponding to the position ofthe heddle frame actuated thereby, in which the shed is in its middle position.

Ciutdh part M a cam '80 which rests on pawl "it if the clutch is disengaged as shown in Fig. 1. If'pawl W is pulled down, part 3 moves to the -right and engages clutch part M as "shown in Fig. 6, which will the descrihedlater. In this position, pawl fl lis in the plane of cam 80. latter extends "around only a part of the ciroumterence of part -44 and spring 81 can move pa. 1 ll so that upper end is adjacent 'to the cylindrical surface of part M, after the clutch has rotated through, say, 90". lifter nearly a full revolution of theclutch, an inclined surface 82 on vearn contacts pawl Tl causing movement-of part M to the left upon further rotation of the clutch and finally disengagement of the clutch, whereupon part l4 comes to a standstill in the iWJSltiOIllShGWIl Fig. .1.

in high speed looms, therlong time is very shortbetween two-consecutive picks, and there is little time for swinging fork lever 12 from one side to the other. If a number of hed'dle frames must be moved at the same time, the power required is so great that it desirable to temporarily stop the ioomioy disengaging clutch 2 2.

In the embodiment i of Lt-h'e invention illustrated Figs. .1 to 3, switching of lever 12 i'sefifiected by the operator after a predetermined number of lick-s, which :numher :is indicated to'the operator by a conventional pick counter.

:Fig. illustrates a mechanism for automatic switching from one weave pattern to another. Shaft .23 drives a timing disc '92 by means of speed-reducing gears =81. Since :shaft 23 makes one revolution per pick, the rotational speed. of disc $2 .is in proportion to the number of picks per time unit. This proportion can be changed by changing the speed-reducing .gears -91. The

ratio of speed reduction must be integral. Cams 93 and 94 are secured by screws to disc 92. Upon rotation of disc 92 in the direction of arrow 96, one of the cams 93, 94 at a time presses lever 95 down against the action of spring 91 until the camhas passed a tooth 99 at the end of lever 95, i. e. until the cam and the tooth have reached the relative position shown for cam 93 in Fig. 6, whereupon lever 95 is pressed upward by spring 91. An air dash-pot 99 containing a piston I99 connecting with lever 95 and having a throttle I9I which may be made adjustable, dampens the movement of the lever. A small two-arm lever I92 is pivoted to the end of lever 95 whose outer arm I93 carries a small insulating plate I94. Lever I92 is resiliently held in a position longitudinally of lever 95 by a spring I99. If lever 95 moves upward to position B, arm I93, which is electrically conductive as is lever 95, abuts a stationary contact member I95, thereby closing an electric circuit I96 which includes a solenoid coil I9! whose armature I99 is connected with pawl II which is pulled down if coil I9'I'is energized. As seen in Fig. '7, arm I93 contacts member I95 only temporarily. As soon as lever 95 reaches its normal position C, lever I92 is pulled by spring I99 to its middle position in which circuit I96 is broken and solenoid I91 deenergized. For engaging clutch 4|, 44, pawl I! need be pulled down only momentarily. If lever 95 is depressed by the cams 93 or 94, switch I93, I95 is not closed because, if lever: 95 reaches position D, insulation I94 is interposed between parts I93 and I95 and circuit I99 remains broken and solenoid I9! is not energized. Since plate I94 projects beyond the end of arm I93, it slides on contact member I95 upon movement of lever 95 to its lowermost position A and arm I93 cannot make contact with member I95. The position of cams 93 and 94 which are secured by screws to disc 92 can be changed to produce different weaving patterns. In the position shown, the pattern is changed twice after a diferent number of picks. By changing the angular position of the cams on the circumference of the disc, the number of picks after which shedding is changed can be changed. Instead of two cams, one only, or more than two, may be employed for producing a desired weaving pattern.

In addition to the aforedescribed means responsive to a predetermined number of consecutive weft insertions for actuating the switching means, loom drive control means are provided which are responsive to the operation of the switching means and stop the loom when the switching means are in operation and re-start the loom at a predetermined moment of the switching operation, i. e. when said operation is substantially completed.

For automatically stopping the loom during switching from one binding to the other, a cam 81 is provided on a shaft carrying a sprocket wheel which is rotated by chain 43- at the same speed as clutch 4|, 44. A cam follower 88 actuated by cam 9! reciprocates a rod 89 which is connected by a lost-motion means 99 with lever 3I actuating clutch 22. Because, after engagement of clutch 4!, 44, cam 8'! has been rotated through an angle oc=60 into the position shown in Fig. 6, cam follower 98 has pulled rod 89 and the lower part of lever 3I to the left, disengaging clutch 22 until cam 8! has been further rotated through about 279. Thereupon lever 3| is moved counterclockwise by spring 3|, and clutch 22 is engaged. In the meantime, shaft 45 has been rotated to 8 effect swinging of lever I2 to switch the roller holding levers 68, 69 from one set of cams for actuating the harness to the other, so that the loom, upon engagement of clutch 22, is started with the heddle frames in a position for the new binding.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified device according to the invention. It has two Parallel shafts I32, I33, each shaft axially movably but not rotatably, supporting a cam member provided with two sets of cam elements. The illustrated device is built for actuating four heddle frames and has four cam follower roller support levers I35 which are swingably supported by a shaft I34. Each lever I35 carries two rollers I36, each roller following a cam of a pair of cams forming a cam element. If lever I35 is in its left position, which is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, its rollers engage a cam element of a cam set on shaft I32 and if lever I35 is in its right position, its rollers follow the cams of an element of a set of cams on shaft I33. Levers I35 swing on a shaft I34 which is supported by two one-arm levers I31 to one of which handle I38 is pivoted. It has two notches adapted to be engaged by the wall of housing 34 for holding the handle and thereby blocking levers I31 and I35 in their extreme positions. Handle I39 is l fted against the pressure of a spring I39 to disengage it from housing 34. A rod 49 is pivoted to an extension at one end of each lever I35, as in Fig. 1, for transmittin the movement of the lever to a heddle frame.

As seen in Fig. 9, each cam member consists of a cam drum, III for cam elements I49, I4I forming one cam set and cam elements I49, I4I forming another set of cam elements. Drum II2 comprises cam elements I42, I43 forming a third cam set and elements I42, I43 forming a fourth cam set. shaft I33 is rotated by chain 35 and drives shaft I32 through spur gears I44 to I41. Cam drum III can be axially displaced by operating a lever I22 and drum II2 by operating a lever I22 so that either a cam element I49, I 4| or I49, I4I' on shaft I32 Or a cam element I42,

I43 or I42, I43 on shaft I33, depending on the position of levers I 35, is actuating a heddle frame.

Though the drums III, II2 are short and each has only two sets of cams, four different weaving patterns can be produced. The number of sets of cams on each drum can be increased to produce more weaving patterns.

The individual cam elements of different sets on one shaft are interspersed so that elements of different sets but intended for actuating the same heddle frame are axially juxtapositioned and form groups, the sequence of the cam elements belonging to different sets bein the same in each group.

Axial displacement of drums II I and H2 must be effected when levers I37 and I35 are in neutral position between their two extreme positions.

Shafts I32 and I33 are driven by a main shaft 23 (Fig. 1) through a chain 35. If the cam sets I49, MI and I49, I4I' must rotate at a speed different from that of cam sets I42, I43 and I42, I43 for producing a desired binding, a speed reduction gear I44 to I41 must be provided. It comprises a wheel I 45 whose diameter is one-half of that of wheel I44. Wheels I49 and I 41 have like diameters. The shaft for the two wheels I 45 and I46 is mounted on a crank I49 whose position can be changed if wheels I 45 and I46 are replaced by wheels of different diameters for producirlirgsa different speed ratio between shafts I32 and rotates on shaft I62.

around a sprocket wheel I64.

,a sleeve which is rotatable on shaft I 62.

the cam sets I56 to Ifi-I.

Fig, diagrammatically shows a fabric pattern in which four warp threads, n, r, s, u, are moved differently, necessitating the provision of four heddle frames and four roller levers I35 as shown in Fig. 9. The binding rule changes after insertion of weft threads 1), :c, y. As seen in Fig. 11, the weft threads at the left side of the fabric are bound by the warp threads according to the rule 1 :1; after insertion of weft thread '12 and until insertion of weft thread w, the bindin rule changes to 2:2, from weft thread w to weft thread cc, the binding rule alternates between '3:1 for the warp threads "n, s, and 1:3 for the warp threads 1', u, whereby the new rule begins at different weft threads, producing a hollow weave whose two layers are individually bound according to rule 1:1. After weft thread as, a single layer weave begins following the rule 3:1, and, after weft thread 11, the weaving pattern is the same as at the left side of the fabric.

Instead of switching the position of the members carrying the cam follower rollers, as members 12 in Fig. 2, the cam elements may be moved by moving shafts 39, 4|] in Fig. 2 or shafts I32,

I33 in Figs. 8 and 9, and. the shafts 10 or I34.

may be arranged to be stationary. This modification can easily be made by a man skilled in the art and is therefore not illustrated.

In the modification shown in Fig. 12,. the. heddle frame actuating rod 46 is pivoted to one end of a lever I5I which swings about a stationary pin I52. Lever I5I carries two rollers I53, I54, each roller following a cam of cam element I56. Six different cam sets I56 to I6I are provided, each set being made fast on a shaft I55. The six shafts I55 are mounted on a frame I63 which The main shaft 23 (Fig. 1) of the loom drives chain which is laid The latter is on a shaft on which a second sprocket wheel is mounted which drives a sprocket wheel I66 by means of a chain I65. Wheel I66 is mounted on Six additional sprocket wheels I61 are made fast on said sleeve. Each wheel I61 drives one of six sprocket wheels I56 to NH. Six chains I63 are provided for this purpose. Each of wheels I56 to I6I is coaxial with and made fast on one of Sprocket wheels I51, I59, and I6I" have the same diameter as the wheels I61 and rotate at the same speed. The diameter of sprocket wheels I58 and I60 is greater than that ofthe wheels I61 to produce the speed reduction needed fOr a desired weave pattern.

Cam sets I56 to I6I are driven continuously during. normal weaving, rotation of drum or frame I63 being prevented by inserting a latch I12 into one of six notches I13. If a different set of cams mustbe made toengage the roller lever I5I, latch I12 is withdrawn fromits notch against the action of spring I16, either by manipulating lever I14 or by energizing solenoid. I15. Drum I63 is provided with a coaxial sprocket wheel- I1B which is driven by chain I18 looped around wheel I19 and a sprocket wheel 111. The latter is driven by shaft 42 upon engagement of clutch 4|, 44 because of withdrawal of pawl 11 (see also Figs. 1 and 6). The diameter of wheel I19 is six times as great as that of wheel I11, so that drum I62 rotates through 60 at one revolution of clutch 4|, 44 and another set of cam discs is I brought into engagement with roller lever I5I,

whereupon the drum can be locked again by means-of latch I12. The device can be operated by a control disc 92 as shown in Fig. 6, in which case the solenoid for actuating pawl 1 1 is electrically arranged in parallel with solenoid I15.

The chain drive of the cam discs I58 to ItI may be replaced by toothed gears by one skilled in the art and any desired rotational speed of the cam discs can be obtained by proper choice of the diameters of the sprocket wheels or gear wheels.

Two or more sets of cams may be arranged on each shaft I5, and drum I65 may be axially displaceable on shaft I62.

If the cam sets of consecutive bindings are ar ranged on different shafts I55, the cam sets can be moved into a position in which they can be engaged by the follower rollers I53 and I54, before the binding is changed.

The illustrated cam follower rollers may be replaced by pins or thumbs connected with levers and cooperating with suitable guides without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The arrangement may be made so as to afford switching of the actuation instead of all of only some of the heddle frames in a loom, the other heddle frames always being actuated in the same manner for the same binding. Two or more groups of cam-actuated members may be provided which are controlled differently, wherefore, for example in Fig. 2, a fork lever 12 is provided for each group, each fork lever being actuated by an individual control disc 92 (Fig. 6).

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic plan view of a mechanism per Fig. 12 in which the frame I63 carrying several cam sets can be axially displaced on shaft I62. A lever I86 is provided for this purpose which is fulcrumed on a stationary part I8I forming also a bearing for shaft I62. Lever I60 can be arrested in two extreme positions by a pin I83 inserted in a hole in the lever and into one of two holes in an arm I82 extending from part ISI. Lever I is connectedwith shaft I62 by a pin extending from the lever into an annular grove in the shaft. Since each shaft I55 carries only two cam sets, shaft I62 need be arrested in only two different positions. The drum supporting sprocket wheels IE6 is rotatable on shaft I62 and is driven by a chain 35 as shown in Fig. 12. Shaft I62 and with it frame I63 is rotated by spur gear wheels I11,'i1I-i' corresponding to the chain drive I11, I19 in Fig. 12: for moving the several cam sets to active position. The frame can be arrested in the desired position by the means shown in Fig. 12. The cam follower rollers I535 I5 4 for actuating the harnesses by means of rods 45 are all supported by a shaft I512 which is supported by levers I55. The cam followers can be disengaged from their cams by swinging levers see also Fig. 15.

= In the modification of the device shown in Fig. 14, the cam sets can be displaced axially on their shafts I55. For this purpose, a lever I86 is provided for each cam set which lever has an end pivoted to frame I63 and a pin I88 extending into an annular groove I89 of the drum supporting the cam set. Each lever can be selectively arrested in two extreme positions by inserting a. pin I81 through one of two holes in the lever into a cavity in the frame I53.

While I believe the above described embodiments of my invention to be preferred embodiments, I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of design and construction shown and described, for

11 obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1.- A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, and switching means for changing the relative positions of said sets of cam elements and of said follower means for selectively engaging the latter by the former.

2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1, comprising swingable support means for said follower means, the latter being positioned between said parallel shafts, and said switching means being connected with said support means for swinging the latter to afford engagement of said follower means with either a set of cam elements on one of said shafts or a set of cam elements on the other shaft.

3. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising two parallel shafts, a set of cam elements supported by each shaft, a heddle frame actuating means individually connected with each heddle frame and individually comprising cam follower means; each of said actuating means comprising a lever having a fulcrum disposed between said shafts, said lever supporting the respective follower means, and a rod pivotally connected with said lever; means for laterally displacing the fulcrum of said lever to afford engagement of said follower means either with a cam element on one of said shafts or with a cam element on the other shaft; the pivot axis of the pivotal connection of said lever and of said rod coinciding with the line of intersection of two imaginary planes extending through the axis of the fulcrum of said lever and through the middle between the points at which said follower means engage different cam elements, one of said planes corresponding to one extreme position of said fulcrum and the other plane corresponding to the other extreme position of said fulcrum when said cam elements are in positions corresponding to the position of the heddle frame actuated thereby in which the shed is in its middle position.

4. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least two sets of cam elements axially displaceably supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern,

cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam 12 elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, and means for individually axially moving said sets of cam elements for selective engagement of said sets with said follower means.

5. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, and a revolvable frame supporting said shafts parallel to the rotation axis of the frame, selective engagement of individual sets of cam elements with said follower means being effected by revolving said frame.

6. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least two sets of cam elements axially displaceably supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements correspondingto the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving attern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, a revolvable frame supporting said shafts parallel to the rotation axis of the frame, and displacing means individually connected with said frame and with said sets of cam elements for axially moving said sets, selective engagement of individual sets of cam elements with said follower means being effected by revolving said frame and by actuating said displacing means.

7. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at'least two parallel shafts, at least two sets of cam elements axially displaceably supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, and means for individually axially moving said sets of cam elements for selective engagement of said sets with said follower means, the individual cam ele- 1 3 ments. of different. sets on one shaft being: interspersedi and elements of different. sets but intended for actuating. the same: heddle: frame being axially juxtapositioned. and forming groups, the sequence of the cam elements belonging to different. sets being. the. same in each; group.

8; A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in" looms for weaving: comprising at. least two parallel shaftsat: least? one set of, camyelements supported byeach shaft, the. number of cam elements: in each set. corresponding. to the number of heddleframes: required to produce; a desired weaving pattern andtha number of sets of cantv elements corresponding-to the number of different bindings required: to: produce the, desired weaving pattern, cam followermeans corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of" said setsyindividual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, switching means for changing the relative positions of said sets of. cam elements and of said follower means for selectively, engaging the latter by the former, and drive means for rotating said shafts, said drive means comprising speed changing means for driving different shafts at different speeds.

9. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, said follower means being disposed between said shafts and individually comprising a twoarm lever, two cam follower rollers supported by i each arm of said lever, displaceable pivot means swingably supporting said lever, and means for displacing said pivot means for selectively engaging the rollers on different arms of said lever with cam elements on one of said shafts or with cam elements on the other shaft.

10. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, switching means for changing the relative positions of said sets of cam elements and 1&4 of said; follower Imeans: for seleciively engaging thelatten by: the former, and: means responsive to. a. predetermined number of" consecutive weft insertions; and: connected: with said switching means: for actuating same...

1&1... A mechanism according to claim-.10; comprising loom stop. means: connected, with said switching: means for stoppingthe. loom when said switchingmeans: are. irroperation.

12. A mechanism accordingtd claim.v 10, comprising loom drive control means connected with andiresponsiver' torthe; operation of said switching means.

132A. mechanism for actuating the: heddle frames in looms. for; weaving, comprising at least twoiparallelshafts, at leastzone set of cam elements; supported:bweachshaft, the number of cam. elements: in eachset. corresponding to; the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, and switching means for changing the relative positions of said sets of cam elements and of said follower means for selectively engaging the latter by the former, said switching means comprising blocking means blocking the relative position of said sets of cam elements and of said follower means when they are in engagement.

14. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, switching means for changing the relative positions of said sets of cam elements and of said follower means for selectively engaging the latter by the former, and loom stop means connected with said switching means for stopping the loom when said switching means are in operation.

15. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means and the heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, switching means for changing the relative positions of said sets of cam elements and of said follower means for selectively engaging the latter by the former, and loom drive control means connected with and responsive to the operation of said switching means.

16. A mechanism for actuating the heddle frames in looms for weaving comprising at least two parallel shafts, at least one set of cam elements supported by each shaft, the number of cam elements in each set corresponding to the number of heddle frames required to produce a desired weaving pattern and the number of sets of. cam elements corresponding to the number of different bindings required to produce the desired weaving pattern, cam follower means corresponding in number to the number of cam elements in one of said sets, individual actuating means individually interconnecting said follower means andthe heddle frames, the configuration of the individual cam elements being such as to produce the movements of the individual heddle frames required for producing the desired weaving pattern, an axially displaceable revolvable frame supporting said shafts parallel to the rotation axis of the frame, and displacing means connected with said frame, selective engagement of individual sets of cam elements with said follower means being effected by revolving said frame and by actuating said displacing means.

No references cited. 

